As we can deduce from the name, these are processors focused on performing AI tasks locally by incorporating a NPU (Neural Processing Unit) with 50 TOPS performance.
The highest-end processor of the new generation of AMD processors for laptops is the Ryzen AI 9 HX370a processor that, according to the company itself, is 75% faster than its Intel counterpart, the Core Ultra 7 258V.
This processor, already available in portable equipment, will also hit the market in a portable console that we talked about a few days ago and whose launch price exceeds, by far, 1000 euros, with hardware very similar to what we can find in the ASUS ROG Ally X and in the Lenovo Legion Go.
Furthermore, it is also about to hit the market in the form of mini pcby the manufacturer GMKTec, a veteran manufacturer of this type of small equipment that has been the first to implement the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 in its equipment, a processor with 12 cores, 24 threads and the Radeon 890M graphics with 12 cores. Of course, as with the portable console of this processor, the joke will not be cheap.
Mini PC with GMKTec EVO-X1 with the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
The first mini PC with AMD’s most powerful AI laptop processor has a volume of only 0.7 liters with about measures 110 x 107 x 63 mm. According to the information available on this manufacturer’s website, the device has a TDP of 70W.
So that the temperature reached by the processor is not a problem, inside it there are two fans and one steam chamber to prevent temperatures from rising above 55º.
Along with the processor it is included 32GB LPDDR5X-7500 RAMsoldered to the board, a very important limitation since this processor is compatible with up to 256 GB according to the specifications of this processor.
As for storage, the EVO-X1 does not include any drives, but there is space inside to install up to 2 M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD with form factor 2280. If the storage was soldered just like the board, turn off and let’s go.
These are located from the bottom of the equipment, so it is not necessary to dismantle half the equipment to install it or replace it with larger ones if necessary.
Regarding connectivity options, this model includes support for USB4 with PD 120W, one port OCuLink to connect external graphics cards if applicable, a port DisplayPort 2.0 and another HDMI 2.1allowing up to 3 monitors to be connected.
Price and availability
The launch of this new mini PC with AMD’s most powerful laptop processor is scheduled for November 26 in China, so we will have to wait for further news to find out if it reaches the old continent.
Regarding the price, we talk about 738 dollars without taxes to which the corresponding VAT would have to be added. If we take into account that it does not include any storage unit, more than a mini PC it is a very expensive barebone.
